de meriteus



(No Model.)

, WITNESSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. L. DE MERITEUS. ELEMENT FORGALVANIG BATTERIES;

Patganted M a,-y 2, 1898.

IN VEN TOR I ATTORNEYS" 2 Sheets-Sheet 2'.

(No, Model.)

A. L. DE MERITEUS. ELEMENT FOR GALVANIG BATTERIES. o. 496,743.

Patented May 2,1893.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTE LOUIS DE MERITEUs, on PARIS, FRANCE.

ELEMENT FOR GALVANIC BATTERIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,743, dated May 2, 1893.

Application filed September 30, 1891. Serial No. 407,223. (No specimens.) Patented in France November 28, 1890, No. 209,850: in Germany December 9, 1890, No. 59,677; in Austria-Hungary April 7, 1891, No. 54,671; in Belgium May'22, 1891, No. 94,970; in Spain June 80,1891,No.12,119; in Italy June 30, 1891,1To. 29,789. and in Brazil July 29,1891,N0.1,260.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTE LoUIs DE MieRITEUs, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing in Paris, France, have invented a Powerful Element for Galvanic Batteries, (for which I have obtained a French patent, November 28, 1890, No. 209,850; a German patent, dated December 9, 1890, No. 59,677; Austro-Hungarian, No. 54,671, dated April 7, 1891; Belgian, No. 94,970, dated May 22, 1891; Spanish, No. 12,119, dated June 30, 1891; Italian, No. 29,789, dated June 30, 1891; Brazilian, No. 1,260, dated July 29, 1891,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the construction of a powerful element for galvanic "batteries in which the hydrogen is mechanically eliminated and polarization is practically obviated by employing as the positive pole of the element a couple acting continuously as hereinafter explained. This couple constituting the positive pole of the element may be composed of two bodies of any description provided that they are not attackable or liable to be affected by acids to the same degree. In this case the hydrogen produced upon the attackable metal (positive pole) of the couple is always driven to the unattackable body or electrode and the metal or body which is attackable or acted on (bythe acid in the element) forming the other electrode of the couple which forms the positive pole of the element is always free from hydrogen. The extremely small quantity of oxide resulting from the action of the acid upon the attackable metal of the couple being reduced as fast as it is formed by the hydrogen proceeding from the negative pole of the battery. This hydrogen follows the same path as the hydrogen produced by the couple. It passes at first to the metal or attackable electrode of the couple but it does not remain there; a portion of-this hydrogen is instantaneously reduced by the oxide formed on the attackable metal and consequently does not polarize this metal. The remainder of the hydrogen that is to say the greater part of it does not remain upon this metal. It is immediately carried away by the current closed upon itself of the couple forming the positive 5o-pole and is entirely set free upon the mattackable electrode of this couple. In order to obtain this result it is indispensable that the couple forming the positive pole acts continuously and presents surfaces formed by material susceptible to the action of the acid of the element and other surfaces formed by material not acted on or attacked by the acids and on which the hydrogen may be set free. This is what has never been done since the origin of the voltaic pile. When Smees battery Was made with silver and platinum and after his time copper and platinum later still the elements of a couple were in fact provided but the couple did not work. The hydrogen escaped on the platinized surface 'as well. It remained there less than upon the copper or silver but polarization still took place. There was no surface on the positive plate which always remained absolutely free from bubbles of hydrogen. The eifect is different in the element now under consideration. The couple Works constantly and polarization is completely obviated even in a short circuit.

In the foregoing statements I have assumed that the liquid in the battery consists of water acidulated with sulphuric acid alone but nitric acid may be added if required. In this case the formation of hydrogen and of'the salt of the attackable metal takes place more vigorously on the attackable metal of the couple. This salt capable of reducing part of the hydrogen proceeding from the zinc is formed in greater abundance the remainder of this hydrogen being driven over to the platinum as before. The principal phenomenon is the simultaneous polarization and depolarization of the positive pole of the batteryand the secresents in vertical section a galvanic cell or element constructed according to my inven tion and Figs. 2 and 3 represent the cell in horizontal and in transverse section respectively. Figs. 4 and 5 show the construction of the positive poles of the battery. Fig. 6 is a side view; Fig. 7, a transverse section, and Fig. 8 a plan of a battery composed of a number of elements.

This element is provided with a zinc plate Zn (Fig. 3). This plate slides, in the same way as a drawer, in grooves formed in two blocks A and B of ebonite, glass or other insulating material extending from the' upper to the lower part of the element. Two head plates Pb perforated with holes of from about three-sixteenths to three-eighths of an inch in diameter are applied to the blocks A so as to inclose the zinc plate between them. They are secured in position by two elastic rubber rings as placed at the upper and lower ends of the element. This arrangement enables the zincs to be very readily removed and replaced. The lead plates may be platinized on the outer sides only. In this case all the hydrogen gas escapes externally.

The inner surfaces of thelead where the hydrogen of the couple forming the positive pole is produced and from which it is driven onto the external platinum remain always free-from this gas.

When the lead plates are platinized on both sides the platinum is removed from the inner surfaces or edges of the perforations. WVith this arrangement likewise the couple works very satisfactorily. Two porous vessels V V are placed in the box or trough containing the element and are maintained filled with pure or undiluted sulphuric acid which filters slowly through the sides of the vessel and maintains the liquid at the proper degree of acidulation.

In place'of perforating the platinized lead plates with holes as represented in Fig. l vertical slots or slots inclined in any direction or any other formof perforation may be employed.

Fig. 4: represents an arrangement which may be employed with advantage in practice. The platinized lead plate is cut into narrow bands or strips connected by an uncut portion at one end and these strips are twisted in the form of a corkscrew or helix.

In order to eliminate the hydrogen more effectually the plates forming the positive pole (negative electrode) may be provided with a number of holes of pyramidal or taper form the base or larger end being directed downward on the side presented to the zinc as repsented in Fig. 5. The axes of these holes or passages may be inclined at an angle of fortyfive degrees or they may be inclined in a general wayto the surface of the plate in. such a manner as to provide a natural and easy way of escape for the gases. These holes form in fact chimneys in which a current is formed by the action of the lead and platinum couple. This arrangement represented in elevation posed of a number of elements.

and in transverse section in Fig. 5 enables a most powerful current to be obtained.

My invention further relates to certain details in the arrangement of a battery com- A battery provided with these improved arrangements is illustrated in longitudinal elevation in Fig. 6, in transverse section in Fig. 7 and in horizontal section in Fig. 8. In this case a series of elements'E formed as hereinbefore described is placed in a box or trough F divided intoa corresponding number of compartments by non-water tight partitions 3. These partitions slide in grooves 1* formed in the ebonite' or other acid proof lining of the trough E being so arranged that the liquid is capable of spreading or flowing into every part of the trough-notwithstanding the presence of the separations or partitions s and thus enables the trough to be filled or emptied in one opration. A rubber tube 25 may be employed for this purpose. The partitions 5 may be perforated or they may be notched or cut away at the sides or at the bottom as represented at c Fig. 7 in order to facilitate the passage of the liquid to all parts of the trough. By these means the manipulation of the trough is greatly facilitated. The elements of a battery thus constituted may be connected in tension without any material diminution in the voltage.

The divisions between the elements in a trough have heretofore been made with par titions which completely separate or prevent any communication between the liquids in the cells or elements and consequently cause complications in the manipulation of the battery. This trough is also provided with an improved arrangement for making the connections consisting in obtaining the contact for the electrodes by means of cups 9 filled with mercury or with an amalgam composed of mercury, lead and tin or with any suitable amalgam of a pasty nature. The electrodes of the elements are provided with hooks or wires Z, 2 which dip into the amalgam con tained in the cups 9 which are arranged ex ternally on one side of the trough F containing the elements. By these means an excellent contact is obtained which obviates the necessity for employing screws, terminals, binding posts and the like. The amalgam is moreover completely protected from the action of the gases and acids.

It is advantageous to arrange the cups g upon a movable support G capable of adjust ment in a vertical direction. This support is arranged to slide upon suitable guides g and is capable of being fixed either in the elevated position for making contact and of beinglowered for the purpose of breaking contact by means of a rotary cam T (Fig. 6) or other equivalent device. By these means the connections between the several elements of the battery are enabled to be opened or closed when required by one movement.

In the drawings the battery is represented IOC as being coupled in tension but it is evident that it may be as easily connected in quantity by means of the cups 9.

I claim as my invention- 1. A positive pole of a battery, formed of lead combined with platinum, presenting leaden and platinum surfaces, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An electric battery having a liquid wholly or mainly of dilute sulphuric acid and a positive pole of lead combined with platinum and presenting leaden and platinum surfaces, as and for the purpose described.

3. A positive pole of a battery consisting of plates of lead, partially platinized to present free leaden surfaces in opposition to the platinized surfaces, substantially as set forth.

4. The positive pole of a battery, consisting of plates of platinized lead perforated with holes or slots of any suitable form and presenting free leaden surfaces, substantially as set forth.

5. A battery consisting of azinc plate, and one or more platinized lead plates forming a couple, and presenting free leaden surfaces, in combination with supports of insulating material to which are attached the lead plates and which are provided with grooves for the zinc plate to enable the said zinc to be removed and replaced Without touching the platinized lead plates, all substantially as set forth.

6. Apositive pole of abattery, composed of platinized lead plates forming a couple, the said plates being perforated with a number of holes of pyramidal or taper form, the bases or larger ends of which are directed downward, and having their axes inclined at an angle of about forty-five degrees or other suitable angle relatively to the plate, substantially as set forth.

7. A battery consisting of a box or trough, a plurality of elements therein, in combination with cups for amalgam, wires connected to the elements, adapted to enter the amalgam, and a support for the said cups, the said support being adapted to be raised or lowered to open or close the circuit, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed. my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

AUGUSTE LOUIS DE MERITEUS.

Witnesses:

ROBT. M. HOOPER, CHARLES DOUY.

It is hereby certified that the name of the patentee in Letters Patent No. 496,743,

granted May 2, 1893, for an improvement in Elements for Galvanic Batteries, was

erroneously written and printed Auguste Louis devMriteus, whereas said name should have been written and printed Auguste Louis .de Mritens; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that'the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 3d day of April, A. D. 1894,

[SEAL] JNO. M. REYNOLDS,

- Assistant Secretary of the Interiow Gountersigned JOHN S. SEYMOUR,

Commissioner of Patents. 

